Will DOT perform a level 1 if requested?

Maybe reverse it....
You are both an Owner and an Operator so O/O fits... Maybe create a new term called A-O-O . Authority-Owner-Operator for those that have to have a special term.

 

Or O/O with own authority. Either works for me. I have a Lotta respect for the people that do it all and get their own numbers and deal with customers and payroll etc. but I do think if I took on that much responsibility and worry I would end up in an early grave and wouldn’t make that much more money. Sometimes you just have to delegate.

 

And that hurts too- You'll get a 1099 leasing on with someone- Which means every dollar you earned,Uncle Sam knows about- Believe me,These carriers will throw you a 1099 in a heartbeat showing that $160k you made.

Not saying its a bad thing- Its just not a good thing trying to "Pay Yourself" a salary when too many digits are shown.

My Advice to you? You seem like you got your head on straight- Learn the Business end of transportation- Get your Contract Authority- And Make all the Decisions

I Say Contract Authority because to live "Regularly" You'll want regular Lanes out n back- With Common Authority- That Plays the Spot Market with freight Brokers- And thats a struggle in itself.

Take My Advice.

 

Who told you that??

You wouldn't believe the lies that are told in this business- You think your getting 75% leased on?? Rare occurance my friend,Rare.

In a Nutshell- Doing it all yourself is TOUGH- But Very Rewarding.

 

I didn’t even know there was two different types of authority.

 

3 different types actually

Everyone Jumps for Common Authority because many guys that run a 1-3 truck operation play the Spot Market- Which can be good at times- But your Runnin Wild with your head cut off.

If you dont want to do the extra work- And Want to just park the truck at the end of the week-With No other Commitments,leasing on to an existing carrier is best- But Like I say- I Really dont call it and "Owner-Operator"

Better Term would be "Owner-Driver"

 

Are you or the company you're leased on with based in California? I had my new carrier audit a couple months ago, and I learned about California's 90-day inspection requirement also called BIT. Basically, California based carriers are required to get an annual type inspection every 90 days. At the time of my audit, I had never heard of it and was already beyond 90 days from the date of my annual inspection, so had I been checked I would have been pulled OOS.

California weigh stations use to do level 1 inspections on request, but no longer do because of this new law. They were getting overwhelmed with requests, so now those of us in Commiefornia have to pay for an inspection 4 times a year.

California Vehicle Code Section 34505.5

CA Veh Code § 34505.5 (2017)

(a) Every motor carrier operating any vehicle described in subdivision (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (j), or (k) of Section 34500, except those vehicles exempted under Section 34501.12, shall, as a part of the systematic inspection, maintenance, and lubrication services required of all motor carriers, require the vehicle or vehicles for which it is responsible pursuant to Section 34501.12 to be inspected at least every 90 days, or more often if necessary to ensure safe operation. Vehicles which are out of service for periods greater than 90 calendar days are not required to be inspected at 90-day intervals if they are inspected before operation on the highway. This inspection shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Brake adjustment.

(2) Brake system components and leaks.

(3) Steering and suspension systems.

(4) Tires and wheels.

(5) Vehicle connecting devices.

(b) No vehicle subject to this section shall be operated on the highway other than to a place of repair until all defects listed during the inspection conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) have been corrected and attested to by the signature of the motor carrier’s authorized representative.

(c) Records of inspections conducted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be kept at the motor carrier’s terminals, as designated in accordance with Section 34501.12. The records shall be retained by the motor carrier for two years, and shall be made available for inspection upon request by any authorized employee of the department. Each record shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Identification of the vehicle, including make, model, license number, company vehicle number, or other means of positive identification.

(2) Date and nature of each inspection and any repair performed.

(3) Signature of the motor carrier’s authorized representative attesting to the inspection and to the completion of all required repairs.

(d) Printouts of inspection and maintenance records maintained in computer systems shall be accepted in lieu of signed inspection or repair records if the printouts include the information required in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (c).

(e) Notwithstanding subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, records of 90-day inspections need not be retained in California for interstate vehicles which are not physically based in California. However, when these vehicles are present in California, they are subject to inspection by the department. If the inspection results indicate maintenance program deficiencies, the department may require the motor carrier to produce the maintenance records or copies of those records for inspection within 10 working days.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

 

My company is based in GA. It seems I’m not the only one trying to get free inspections. I can’t wait till CA outlaws the older trucks. Rates should go up.

 

I heard that about the ELD's. Dream on friend.

 

Rates were higher last year. You know part of that was a result of reduced capacity as a result of the ELD mandate. Anything that reduces capacity raises rates. I encourage every driver I meet to quit trucking.